Peace Council Criticizes Israel's Response to Gaza Floods
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
The Peace Council has criticized Israel's response to seasonal floods in Gaza, stating it is insufficient and urging the government to allow more humanitarian aid. Israel's Foreign Ministry countered that Hamas diverts resources for its war effort, and COGAT detailed significant aid deliveries while reiterating that rehabilitation depends on Hamas disarmament. The Palestinian Authority also blamed Israel for the worsening humanitarian situation and called for international intervention.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Peace Council criticized Israel's response to Gaza floods as insufficient, demanding more aid entry.
- Israel's Foreign Ministry blamed Hamas for diverting resources and fueling the war instead of serving residents.
- COGAT reported delivering over 91,000 tents and substantial winter supplies to Gaza.
- COGAT stated Gaza's rehabilitation is contingent on Hamas's complete disarmament.
- The Palestinian Authority accused Israel of worsening the humanitarian crisis and called for international action.
The Peace Council expressed concern on Monday over the seasonal floods that have affected the Gaza Strip in the past two days. According to the council, the floods are inundating tens of thousands of tents and temporary shelters, damaging essential property, and leaving displaced families exposed to cold and insecurity. The council, established by former U.S. President Donald Trump as part of his peace plan for Gaza, stated it has been warning of such a situation for months. It called on the Israeli government to permit the entry of necessary materials for temporary shelter, water, sanitation infrastructure, waste management, drainage, and sewage treatment, and to uphold its commitment to the humanitarian protocol of Sharm El Sheikh, likely referring to the humanitarian annex of an agreement signed on October 9, 2025. The council also mentioned its repeated pressure on Hamas to disarm and fulfill its commitments under the plan.
In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry stated on X that Hamas diverts water pipes to use as rockets against Israel, sacrificing infrastructure meant for Gaza's residents to fuel its war. The ministry asserted that anger over the flooding should be directed at Hamas. COGAT, a unit in Israel's Ministry of Defense responsible for humanitarian affairs in Gaza, reported on Sunday that it is monitoring the humanitarian situation and conducting assessments with the UN and international organizations. COGAT stated that since the start of the winter program, over 91,000 tents and 8,200 trucks carrying tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothing, and other equipment have been delivered, along with 12 trucks for waste removal, thousands of vaccines, and fuel for humanitarian facilities.
However, COGAT also emphasized that Gaza's rehabilitation can only begin after Hamas fully disarms and that Israel will not allow the entry of equipment that could be used to develop terror capabilities. The Peace Council acknowledged the steps being considered by the Israeli government but deemed the response insufficient, demanding that the Israeli government allow the entry of all necessary winter preparation means and humanitarian supplies. They claim that delays in aid delivery have significantly postponed Hamas's disarmament and the transfer of power to a technocratic council.
The Palestinian Authority accused Israel of exacerbating the humanitarian situation in Gaza. A statement from the Palestinian presidency on Saturday called for urgent and effective international action to end the suffering. The presidency criticized the Peace Council and its envoy Nikolay Mladenov for failing to take steps to halt Israeli violations and urged the UN Security Council to compel the Israeli government to respect its commitments and open all border crossings for unlimited entry of humanitarian and medical aid.
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